Wichita eagle., 1887-05-06
1ail9& eagle
OVER THE RANGE.

Down the zigzag road came the numbering
Oh stage, the horses heels Gathering along
The rocky way, and the driver. a direct op-
posite Of Hank Monk tendencies, drawing
out "G'iang thar" every few minutes in an
odd lazy way, all his own
Inside the vehicle were four passengers
bound for Burnaby, a few miles further on;
1t was getting dusk, and the drilling rain
setting in rendered the prospect for the re-
maInder OF the journey anything but pleas
ant
The foot hills were very uninviting in the
murGiness, the old coach was horribly
"stuffy' and her fellow Travellers lady and
two gentlemen-were unaccountably silent,
somehow; so Belle Norton sighed little,
and began rubbing the dust off the ono little
window, in order to get clearer view Of the
misty landscape
She peered out with very dissatisfied air
and rebeilious mutterings; had she but
known that it was such an uncomfortable
transit, why, she never would have under
taken it, and the children, over the range at
Burnaby, ,iicht have gone without a teacher.
But she was in for it now, without shadow
of an alternative, and, almost there, she won
dered vaguely if Burnaby Glen was 50 desc
late as the route thereto; if it was, why, she
should die Of pure homesickness or grow hys-
terical and resign at the end Of the first
month.
The old stage jolted uncomfortably. the
man in the corner snored ominously, and the
drivers monotonous ~G'lang thar" merged
into a troublous dream, as she journeyed on
toward her destination
Presently the quick report of a revolver cut
al Dill r%, .S<~l
find the light from dark lantern streaming
into the coach and masked figure blocking
up the doorway. She with difficulty repressed
q scream, but the woman opposite shrieked
"Rofbers.7 and went off in a dead faint
That's the style we prefer said the
masked visitor in a soft. musical tone Belle
could scarcely feel Wiling to connect with
the profession of brigand, even in her fright.
Then he reached over and relieved the un-
conscious lady of her watch and chain, and
with the "click" of derringer he presented
the weapon in the faces Of the Mortified
gentlemen in quick succession, and said
suavelv: "Col down, now, without further
trouble" which they did handsomely.
Il was Bellies fortune to be robbed last
"Your watch please" said the n, isical voice,
as the derl-inger DISAPPEARED in magic gal
lantry.
Mo- said Belle, 1T is present, and I
don't want to give it up" and she male no
move toward giving to him.
Sorry" answered the musical voice, "but
viii be obliged TO take it then"
She made frantic efforts to seize the watch
that the robber deity detached from its guard;
he laughed little musical ripple of amused
uerrinent rs she clutched his wrist for
moment in fruitless endeavor to regain her
property, then with quick dexterous move
nlent he freed himself from the plucky Belle
and withdrew from the stage, leaving the
crest fallen inmates in blank darkness
Outside they could hear two voices chuck
ling over the mailbags and intirnidating the
driver alternately; In a moment or two more
of terrible suspense it was all over, and the
highwaymen took their departure, and they
were suffered to go on their way.
"Oh dear!" walled Belle, clasping her hands
in desperation, my watch that Uncle Nathan
gave me- Oh, dear, dear!' the nervous fin
gers laced themselves in restless sympathy
with the two big tears on her cheek-but
what was that in her lap' Something that
felt like money. She drew off her glove and
took the object between her thumb and fin
ger; it wasn't money; that was evident, for
one side was rough and corrugated. The sill
very voiced robber must have dropped it; she
would keep it, and examine it at her leisure,
If she lived to reach Burnaby and see the
blessed light once more, which two things
seemed long way off Just now, certainly.
Rattle. clatter. grind, jog; now brisk
trot, and whoa and the naples: quartet
had arrived at Burnaby Glen.
Belle was helped out, and, amid the ejacula-
<;o,,S Of 10 III and the recital Of
the evenings adventure by the drawing
coachman, was hustled into the waiting room
of the long, low structure known as BurDaby
house. together with her long faced compan-
ions
The experience had to be gone over again
at the late repast, and the lady who tainted
in the STAGE thought better of it now, and
only wept interestingly Belle sat bolt up
right and made no sign Of the grief which
had taken away her appetite for the savory
meal before her; they left the table finally
after every gentleman present had given
similar personal adventure, and our young
friend was shown to her room
@An' So YOU are to teach our sAule2" re-
peated the voluble landlady again, as she
put The tallow dip in its tin case on the wall,
and placed q basin of water on the drygoods
box serving for a washstand-
yes" answered Belle, but l heartily
wish had never accepted the situation. To
nights experience 0as cost me more than my
summers school viii come to, TO begin with"
Il dare say" agreed the old lady, folding
her arms and signing in unison with her
guest: Its too bad, but they say a bad be-
ginning makes good ending you know
~S!nall comfort in that" ejaculsted Belle,
taking off her boots with an impatient jerk.
ashes all out o gear" nuttered the old
landlady to tie motley array of kettles and
pans an hour later; she's all out o gear, but
nobody can blame her as know Of; mighty
nice gal though, only jest a little too high
faluti:I' for the Glen, Tn "a thnkin'.'
The next morning dawned lovely enough
to mint If paradise, and Bellies spirits arose
on fancy's mounting wing; she straightway
promised herself q happy summer at the
Glen. leanin, just a little on the maxim of
the previous evening, in spite of herself.
Belle Norton had come over the range to
sren,! the season in teaching at Burnaby, asa
sort of Break in the usual routine Of music
roll and billiards in sharps and flats She
fo,nd that she was expected to board at the
Burnabv house AMI pay the bill out of the
amount received for instructing the Juveniles
Of the little village in 'readin', writin' and
'rithmetic."
Setting herself 10 circumstances, she went
70 work among chalk and books with viii;
and i, due time the citizens talked it over
dow, az the store. AMI concluded that they
had :, fine teacher Notwithstanding her